Adjustable bed bottom



J. R. STARK.

ADJUSTABLE BED BOTTOM. APPLICATION FILED 050.21. 1916. azugwsn JUNE 14, 1921. 1,402,106. I

Patented Jan. 3, 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l- JR. 57x07? 1 aftozwmzs APPLICATION FILED DE.C12l1916. RENEWED JUNE 14, 192i- Patented Jan. 3, 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHET 2- 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 Patented Jan. 3, 1922.,

J, R. STARK.

ADJUSTABLE BED BOTTOM APPUCATION FILED DEC-21. 191s. RENEWED JUNE14,1921- J. RHSTARK. ADJUSTABLE an) BOTTOM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC,21. 1916. RENEWED JUNE 14. 1921- Patented Jan. 3, 1922.

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EJETE stats JOHN R. STARK, F -NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS; TO C. R. CLEMENTS, TRUSTEE, OFNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

ADJUSTABLE BED BOTTOM.

Specification of Letters Patent:

PatcntedJani 3, 1922. 1

Application filed December 21, 1916,- Seria1 -No." 138,241; Ren-ewed June 14, 1921: Serial No. 477,603.

To all whom 2'25 may concern Be it known that I, JOHNJR. STAR -a citizen of the United States,-"residing?at' Nashville, in the county of Davidson and- Stateof Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Bed Bottoms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to adjustable bed bottoms, and more particularly to that type designed for invalid use and it is one aim of the invention to provide a bed bottom The invention aims further" to provide means whereby the sections however they maybe adjusted-may be quickly and rigidly secured against disarrangementwithout the i;

necessity of employing-tools of any char--- 'acter:

side railsthereof at the point of connection which may be readily 'adjustedr'to suit eitherthe convenience and comtortof t-he'invalid,

or to support the invalid insuch various ipo-z sitions as may be desired-by the physician: or nurse.

Another aim of the invention is to pro ordinary bedstead and which at their ends are constructed in the usual manner-:to fit the corner sockets at the opposite sidesv of the said head and foot boards.

of the head section with the intermediate section;

Another aim of the invention is to provide means whereby. eitherthehead boarder the "foot'boardzof the bedmay be raised 'or' lowcred,qeither' similarly or relatively. Y In the accompanying drawings tionalview :tlirou 'h the bed bottom embody ing the present invention, the same being:

shown'in normal or horizontal position;

justed forwardly "or rearwardly' along the Figurel: is a; vertical longitudinal sec-- Fig. 2 is a simila-rwview illustrating the toot and-intermediate sections in normal posit-ionand the'head section: raised ;1

Fig. 3 1s a simllar view illustrating the rfoot section lowered,- the intermediate sec -tion1in normal Briefly stated, the bed bottom embodying? the present invention includes relatively ad justable head, foot and intermediate-sod tions, and the invention aims to provide for adjustment of the head section to any vdesired position between the horizontal and vertical and to securely support the same;

the adjustment being independent of the intermediate and foot sectlons.

The invention also aims to prov1de,- if dea sireth for automatic adjustment of the foot and intermediate sections upon-adjustment of the head section so that it the patient "is to occupy a substantially upright position in raised; v

Fig. 4':' is a top plan View of one side of the bed bottom Fig. 5. is a; vertical transverse sectional view 01- the l-ine 55.of Fig. .1; thebed bot tom fabric being omitted; 15

Fig. 6 is avertical longitudinal: sectional view throughithe locking means for holdingthesect-ionsof the bedbottom in 'adjusted position;

Fig. 7 is a=:fragmentary perspectiveview of one of theside-rails-of the bedbottom;

F ig; 8 is a fragmentary top plani-view of the said-=side rail the bed the nurse or otherattendantis ITS-z quired only to lift or swing-upwardlythey;

head section without paying any attentionwhatsoever to the foot and intermediatesec-w tionsh Another aim of the lnvent on is to pro-- vide for downward swinging of thefoot secr tion below the plane normally occupicdbyi the bed bottom and for holdingthe said 9 is a'perspective view of one, of the mack members-for holding :the head section of the-bedbottom in adjusted position;

F igJ-lO is a;vertical transverse; sectional view taken gsubstantiall-y on the line 10- -10 of Fig. 2;

Fig.- 11 is. a perspective view of the sup porting means-tor the head-section of the bed-bottom; foot section in any desired position of an- Fig. 12 is avertical sectional'View through one of the legs of the bedstead illustrating. the manner-in whichthe same maybeadpositiongiandthehead section i justed as to length for the purpose of rais-aing or lowering the head or foot board.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates in general the head board of a bedstead and 2 the foot board thereof.

The bed bottom embodying the present invention includes side rails which are here illustrated as of L-angle iron construction although they may be tubular or of any other cross sectional shape. In the present instance, however, each rail has an upstanding wing 3 and a horizontal wing i and the rails'are provided at their forward and rear ends with the usual members 5 adapted to be fitted into the sockets of the usual corner fastenings 6 at the opposite sides of the head and foot boards 1. and 2, it being understood that the side rails just described take the place of the side rails of the ordinary bedstead. For a purpose which will presently be explained the horizontal wing i of each siderail is cut away as indicated by the numeral 7, this cut away portion being located near the foot end of the rail, as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and in order that the gap formed. by cutting away the saidwings maybe normally closed, there is provided in connection with each rail, a rail section or track member having an upstanding wing 8 and a horizontal wing 9. The wing 8 of each railsection or track member extends beyond the wing 9 and is pivotally connected as at 10 with the upstanding wing 3 of the respective rail j atlthe footendof the cut away portion 7. It will be apparent by reference to Fig. 1

of the drawings that the rail section or track member may be swung upwardly so that the wing 9 will extend between the ends of the cut away portion of the wing 4 of the respective rail and close the gap formed by cutting away the said wing 4, or, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 7 of the drawings, the rail sections may be swung downwardly so that the wing 9 will occupy an inclined position with relation to the wing 4L ofthe respective rail. In order that each rail section may be held, at the desired position of angular adjustment a brace arm 11 is pivotally connected at its head end, as at 12, to the wing 3 of the respective rail and this arm is formed with a longitudinallyextending slot 13. At its foot end the arm extends beside the wing 8 of the respective rail section and a clamping bolt 14; is fitted through the slot13 and through the end of the wing 8 and has applied thereto a nut 15 which may be tightened for the purpose of binding the wing 8 and arm 11 when the railsection has been adjusted to "the desired position.

The bed bottom proper comprises a head section, indicated ingeneral by the reference character A, an intermediate section indicated in general by the reference character B and a foot sect-ion indicated in general by the reference character C. V v

The head sectlon A includes side members which are indicated by the numeral 16 and which are preferably of L-angle iron construction and a connecting end member 17 also of angle iron construction. The side members 16 and connecting member 17 include vertical wings and horizontal wings which extend inwardly from the upper edges of the vertical wings, and riveted or otherwise secured to the undersides of the said horizontal wings of the side members at their foot ends are short lengths of angle iron indicated at 18, each having a Vertical wing 19 opposing and lying parallel to the vertical wing of the respective side member 16, as clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. A. pivot pin 20 is fitted through each wing 19 and the vertical wing of therespectire side member 16 and these pivot pins extend alsothrough the upper ends of clamping heads 21. As will be apparent by reference to the drawings two of the'heads 21 are provided and each head is formed with a recess 22 in its outer face to receive the horizontal flange 4 ofthat one of the siderails with which the head is assembled, each: head being further provided upon its said" outer face and below the recess 22 with a clamping lip 23. A clamping'screw 24; is threaded upwardly through each. clamping lip and is designed to bear against the lower side of the horizontal wingd of the respective side railand by tightening these clamping screws the heads be held at any desired positions of adjustment in the length of the said side rails. It will now be understood that when the clamping heads are secured in place the head section has, in effect, its side portions pivotally connected at their foot ends with the side rails of the bedsteadso that the head section may occupy a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, in which position its side members willrest upon the horizontal flanges of the side rails of the bedstead or it may be swung upallel to each other and the connecting portion 26 extending at right angles between the free ends of the said arms. The arms at their opposite ends are pivotally connected, as at 27, to the side members 16 of the head section A at a point between the head and foot ends of the said section. The connecting portion 26 of the supporting memher is designed to cooperate with rack members, which are mounted upon the side rails of the bedstead and one of these rack memhers is clearly illustrated in Fig; -9 of the drawings, the same comprising a plate 28 having an upstanding flange 29, which isof rack formation, as clearly,illustratedin the said figure. The plate 28 is provided with an upwardly offset laterally extendin clamping lip .30 which is designed to rest upon the upper surface of the horizontal wing ofthe respective side rail and secured to or formed upon theunderside of theplateQS and .-projecting below the lip 30 is apair ofears 31 through each of which is threadeda clamping screw, indicated by the numeral 32, it being understood that these cars 31 extend beneath the horizontal flange of the respece tive side rail and that-the clamping screws 32 are to be tightened to bear against the under-sides of the-said horizontal wings and firmlyclampthe rack members as awhole in place upon the said rails.-;By reference to- Fig. 1, it will be observed that when the head section is lowered to horizontal posi-' tion the supporting membergwhich is pivotally connected therewith will be housed within the section and will be out of cooperative relation to therack members. How.- ever, as the head section is swung to upright position, as shownin Figs. 2' and3 of the drawings, the connecting portion 26 of the supporting member will ride successively overthe corresponding teeth of the rack members and when the head section has been broughtto the desired position of adjustment it may be released and the connecting portion of the supporting member will then be in proper engagement with the rack members'to firmly support the, said'head section in its position of adjustment.- In order that the clamping; heads 21 may be relatively braced and therefore in order that the pivoted ends of the side portions of the head section, may be relativelybraced, a cross bar 33 extends between the said clamping heads and this bar is provided with upturned ends 34, the extremities of which aresecured to the saidclamping heads. By forming the cross bar with the upstanding end portions 34, the main portionv of the bar is located a sufiicient distance below the surface of the bed bottom to insureagainst said surface coming. in contact with the bar and discomforting ithe patient.-

lhe intermediate section B includes side members-35 which are preferably of L-angle 1 ironconstruction and which at theirhead ends are pivotally connected with the clamping heads 21 by means-or" the pivot pins 20 heretofore,mentioned. The foot section of the bed bottom includes side members 36, which are also preferably of L-angle iron construction, and a connecting member. 37, which extends between the, foot ends of the said side members36. Theverticalwings 01 the sidemembers 35 andr36 of the intermediate. and foot sections respectively, overof relative adjustment.

of a bracing rod 38, the end portions of the said rod being bent upwardly, as at 39, and

thence turned laterally and fitted through openings formed in the said overlap/pedends of the said side members 35 and 36 for I the purpose stated. that the intermediate and foot sections may be relatively angularly adjusted or that the foot section may be angularly adjusted inde- It will now be apparent pendently of the intermediate section. In 7 order that the foot cornersot the foot section may readily ride over the horizontal flanges of the side rails, brackets are socured to the under side of the horizontal wing of the connecting member 37 and within these brackets and the yertical wings of the side members 36 of the saidfoot section are mounted spindles 41 supporting r rollers 42, which rest upon the saidihorizontal flanges of the side rails for the purpose stated.

In order that the head, intermediate and foot sections may be held in positionsof relative adjustment, each of the members 19 has secured to .it a downwardly extended arm 43. Arms 44 are pivotally connected at their foot ends to the inner-ends of the spindles 41 which thusserve notonlyas supports for the rollers 42, but also as pivotal connections between the arms 44and the side members 36 of the foot section of the bed bottom. Each of the arms 44 is formed with a longitudinally extending slot 45 and means is provided for cooperation with the slotted portions of thejarms 44 and quently, holding the head, intermediate, and foot sections of the bed bottom in positions The means above referred to is clearly illustrated in Fig. (3

wvith the lower ends or" the arms 43, for holding these parts at adjustment, and, consei of the drawings, and includes a rod 46 which is provided at one end with a head 47 and at its other end is threaded as at 48. Thisrod 46 is fitted through the lower ends' of the arms 43 and through the slots 45 in the arms 44 and extends transversely beneath the bed bottom. in its said end with an opening 49 and fitted upon the rod 46 near each end thereoi is a Each of the arms 43 is provided s acin collar 50 occuo in the o eninu in the, respective arm 43.

spective arm 43, the .collarsbO being, as-

shown in Fi 60f the drawin s of a len th greater than the thickness of the respective.

arms 43. A washer, 53 is fitted upon the rod sleeve 54 is fitted upon the rod 46 and at A washer 51 isfittedupon therod between the head 47 thereof and the adj acent arm 44 "i 46 inwardly, of each of the arms 43 and a i 1 its ends abuts against the washers '53; The

numeral 55. indicates a sleewve-nut which is threaded upon the end 48 of the rod 46 and this nut is provided with a transverse handle 56 whereby it may be conveniently and readily turned by hand. It will now be understood that when the nut is loosened the head section may be adjusted independthe opposite sides of the arms 44 holding the parts in the desiredposition of adjustment. If, when the head,.intermcdiate, and foot sections are in normal or horizontal positions, as shown in Fig. 1. of the drawings, the sleeve nut 55 is tightened, the three sections will be automatically relatively adjusted merely upon swinging movement of the head section for in this case if the head section be swung upwardly a pull will be exerted upon the arms 44 and as a consequence the head end of the foot section will be drawn forwardly and the foot and intermediate sections will buckle, or in other words, their mutually connected ends will rise. It will be understood, of course, that when the nut 55 is tightened the rod 46 is'held fixed with relation to the arms 44 although the arms 43 are free to pivot about the said rod upon the spacing collars 50. This relative adjustment may take place while the foot end of the foot section occupies the normal plane of the bed bottom or the foot section may be caused to lower as shown in Fig. 33 ot the drawings, and when it is desired to obtain this latter adjustment the nuts 15 will be loosened. and the rail sections heretofore described will be swung downwardly to about the position shown in the said Fig. 3 and in Fig. 7, or more specifically speaking, to such position that the foot corners of the foot section or the rollers 42 will rest upon the wings 9 of the rail sections to support the foot section at the desired angle. In order to insure of relative automatic adjustment of all three sections of the bed bottom when the nut 55 has been tightened at the time the sections are as shownin Fig. 1 of the draw ings, lugs 57 are secured to the vertical wings of the intermediate section 35 at the foot ends thereof and project below the lower edges of the said wings and by resting at their lower ends upon the horizontal wings 4 of the siderails of the bedstead serve to support the mutually connected ends of the side members of the intermediate and foot sections slightly elevated, or in other words, out of horizontal alinement. As a consequence, When a pull is exerted upon the arms 44 the sections B and C will be immediately elevated at their mutually connected ends.

' rai ls.

The fabric of the bed bottom is indicated by the numeral 58 and may be of any of the ordinary constructions, the same extending the entire length and width of the head, intermediate and foot sections ofthe bed bottom and being stretched between the sides and ends of these said sections and connected to the horizontal wings of the angle iron members comprising the said sections. 7

In order that the head end and foot end of the bedstead as a whole may be vertically adjusted, each leg of the bedstead includes a section 59 fixed with relation to the head or foot board as the case may be, and a section 60 which is telescopically fitted therein and provided with a number of transverse openings 61 through which a pin 62 may be fitted interchangeably to engage the lower end of the fixed section 59, as clearly shown inFig. 12 of the drawings. It will be understood that the head end and foot end of the bedstead may be independently or similarly adjusted, as desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is: r

1. In a bed bottom structure, head, intermediate, and foot sections, the head and foot sections being independently adjustable, means directly "hinged-ly connecting the foot and intermediate sections, means for preventing the said sections assuming a position whereby to normally break the joint between the sections, and connections between the said head and footsections operable to automatically adjust the foot and inter' mediate sections upon manual'adjustment ot the head section.

2. Ina bed bottom structure, head, inter-' mediate, and foot sections, the said sections being mutually hingedly connected, means supporting the adjacent ends of the head and intermediate sections and.- constructed for adjustable attachment to the side rails of a bedstead, a supporting member connected with the head section, and a member for cooperation therewith constructed for adjustable attachment to one of the said 3. In a bed bottom structure, sections relatively angularly adjustable, rigid arms carried by one of said sections, arms pivotally connected with the other section and each in alinement with eaclr other formed with a slot, a rod extending through the rigid arms and through the slots in the pivoted arms, clamping elements upon each end of the rod for coaction with the pivoted arms, and means operable to simultaneously cause coaction of the clamping elements with the said pivoted arms.

.4. *In a bed bottom structure, sections relatively angularlyadjustable, rigid arms carried by one of said sections, arms pivotally connected with the other section and each formed with a slot, a rod extending through the rigid arms and through the slots in the pivoted arms, clamping elements upon each end of the rod for coaction with the pivoted arms, and means located at one end of the rod operable to simultaneously cause coaction of the clamping elements with the said pivoted arms.

5. In a bed bottom structure, sections relatively'angularly adjustable, rigid arms extending from one of said sections, arms pivotally connected with the other section and each formed with a slot, a rod extending through the rigid arms and through the slots in the pivoted arms and provided at one end with a head and threaded at its other end, a clamping element upon the rod between each pivoted arm and the respective fixed arm, a sleeve upon the rod bearing at its ends between the pivoted arms, and a clamping nut upon the threaded end of the rod.

6. In a bed bottom structure, head, intermediate, and foot sections, the foot and intermediate sections being directly hingedly connected, means for preventing the foot and intermediate sections assuming a position in mutual alinement whereby to normally break the joint between the sections, and means operable to automatically adjust the foot section upon manual adjustment of the head section.

7. In a bed bottom structure, spaced rails each provided with a gap, means adjustable to close the gap, and a foot section movable through the gap when open and angularly adjustable in planes below the said rails.

8. In a bed bottom structure, side rails each provided with a gap, bed bottom sections supported by the rails and mutually hingedly connected, one of said sections being adjustable with relation to the other and movable through the gap when the gaps are open, and means adjustable to close each gap.

9. In a bed bottom structure, head, intermediate, and foot sections, the said sections being relatively angularly adjustable, spaced rails supporting the said sections, each of said rails being provided with a gap, means adjustable to close each of said gaps, the foot section being arrangedto move over and be supported by the foot rails and by the closing means for the gap when adjusted angularly in planes above the said rails and to pass through the gaps for adjustment in planes below the rails.

10. In a bed, the combination of a supporting frame havin parts of its side bars cut-away, track members pivotally attached to said side bars at their rear ends, adjustable connections between the front ends of said track members and the side bars whereby to secure the track members in position to close the cut-away portions of the side bars, a, seat section pivotally attached to the frame, and a foot section pivotally connected with the seat section and having one end free and arranged to ride upon the side bars of the frame and the said track members.

11. In a bed, spaced rails each provided with a gap, track members pivoted to the rails in position to close the gaps, means for securing said members in gap-closing position, and a foot section movable on the rails and the track members and through the gaps when the same are open.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature JNO. R. STAR-K. [1 s.] 

